Parkinson's Symptoms & Causes

Parkinson's Disease

Parkinson's disease (PD or, simply, Parkinson's) is the most common form of parkinsonism, a group of motor system disorders. It is a slowly progressing, degenerative disease that is usually associated with the following symptoms, all of which result from the loss of dopamine-producing brain cells:

• tremor or trembling of the arms, jaw, legs, and face

• stiffness or rigidity of the limbs and trunk

• bradykinesia (slowness of movement)

• postural instability, or impaired balance and coordination

Dopamine is a substance produced in the body which has many effects, including smooth and coordinated muscle movement.

It is incorrectly believed that Parkinson's disease disappeared after the introduction of levodopa (L-dopa) in the 1960s. In fact, about 60,000 Americans are newly diagnosed with Parkinson's disease each year, with more than 1 million Americans affected at any one time. Further, more people suffer from Parkinson's disease than multiple sclerosis, muscular dystrophy, and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis combined.

Tremor Symptoms

Tremor symptoms are involuntary muscle movements that can occur in a specific body area. The most commonly affected and most noticeable areas include the hands, arms, and head, as well as a quavering voice if the tremor affects the voice box (larynx). Tremor symptoms include hand shaking, head shaking, and trembling and shaking while performing a task, such as gripping a fork or pencil. Tremor can also occur while you are at rest.

The term “tremor” most accurately refers to a small, rhythmic shaking movement that occurs in a back-and-forth pattern. However, tremor is also commonly used to refer to sudden jerking or muscle spasms of the body or extremities, such as the symptoms described for restless leg syndrome. Tremors can occur at any age but most commonly occur in middle-aged and older men and women.